U.S. patent number 6,977,776 [Application Number 10/750,958] was granted by the patent office on 2005-12-20 for head-mounted optical direct visualization system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Carl Zeiss AG. Invention is credited to Thomas Alt, Uwe Frey, Werner Schreiber, Harald Volkenandt.
United States Patent |
6,977,776 |
Volkenandt , et al. |
December 20, 2005 |
Head-mounted optical direct visualization system
Abstract
A head-mounted optical direct visualization system has at least
one optical deflecting device (120) with an optical end element
(128) for deflecting a virtual image generated by an image source
(230) onto the optical end element (128). The virtual image is
emitted through the optical end element into the field of view in
front of the eyes of the user. The optical deflecting device (120)
is attached to the head of the user with the aid of a frame (130).
The task of the invention is to configure such a conventional
direct visualization system so as to be better adaptable to the
requirements of the anatomical and optical features of the user and
the application-specific viewing requirements. This task is solved
with an adjusting device (140), which is fixed to the frame (130),
for variably changing the position of at least the optical end
element (128) essentially in a plane parallel to the field of view
of the user.
Inventors: |
Volkenandt; Harald (Aalen,
DE), Frey; Uwe (Bobingen, DE), Alt;
Thomas (Braunschweig, DE), Schreiber; Werner
(Meine, DE) |
Assignee: |
Carl Zeiss AG (Oberkochen,
DE)
|
Family
ID: |
7690883 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/750,958 |
Filed: |
January 5, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
PCTEP0206482 |
Jun 13, 2002 |
|
|
|
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Jul 6, 2001 [DE] |
|
|
101 32 872 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
359/630;
345/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B
27/0172 (20130101); G02B 27/0176 (20130101); G02B
2027/0178 (20130101); G02B 2027/0136 (20130101); G02B
2027/0132 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B 027/14 ();
G09G 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;345/7,8,9,13
;359/630,631,632 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Spector; David N.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ottesen; Walter
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation application of international
patent application PCT/EP 02/06482, filed Jun. 13, 2002, and
claiming priority from German patent application 101 32 872.9,
filed Jul. 6, 2001. International application PCT/EP 02/06482 and
German patent application 101 32 872.9 are both incorporated herein
by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A head-mounted optical visualization system for a user, the
system comprising: an image source for generating a virtual image;
an optical deflecting device including an optical end element; said
optical deflecting device being optically connected to said image
source for receiving said virtual image and for deflecting said
virtual image to said optical end element whereby said virtual
image is provided in the viewing field of said user in front of the
eyes of said user; a frame mountable on the head of said user for
carrying said optical deflecting system; and, an adjusting device
attached to said frame for variably changing the two-dimensional
position of said optical end element substantially in a plane
parallel to said viewing field of said user.
2. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1, said
adjusting device including: a horizontal or a vertical guide rail
mounted on said frame; a slide supported on said guide rail so as
to be movable therealong; and, said optical end element being
movably mounted on said slide.
3. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said adjusting device is configured for continuously or
discontinuously changing the position of the optical end
element.
4. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said optical deflecting device is adjustable with a view to
a desired magnitude of said virtual image provided ahead of the eye
of said user by said optical deflecting device.
5. A head-mounted optical visualization system for a user, the
system comprising: an image source for generating a virtual image;
an optical deflecting device including an optical end element; said
optical deflecting device being optically connected to said image
source for receiving said virtual image and for deflecting said
virtual image to said optical end element whereby said virtual
image is provided in the viewing field of said user in front of the
eyes of said user; a frame mountable on the head of said user for
carrying said optical deflecting system; an adjusting device
attached to said frame for variably changing the position of said
optical end element substantially in a plane parallel to said
viewing field of said user; and, said optical end element being
configured as a prism.
6. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 5,
wherein the size of the prism can be selected.
7. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 6,
wherein the surfaces of the prism are at least partially
curved.
8. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said optical deflecting device includes an optical
deflecting element for deflecting said virtual image to said
optical end element.
9. A head-mounted optical visualization system for a user, the
system comprising: an image source for generating a virtual image;
an optical deflecting device including an optical end element; said
optical deflecting device being optically connected to said image
source for receiving said virtual image and for deflecting said
virtual image to said optical end element whereby said virtual
image is provided in the viewing field of said user in front of the
eyes of said user; a frame mountable on the head of said user for
carrying said optical deflecting system; an adjusting device
attached to said frame for variably changing the position of said
optical end element substantially in a plane parallel to said
viewing field of said user; wherein said optical deflecting device
includes an optical deflecting element for deflecting said virtual
image to said optical end element; and, the optical deflecting
element being configured as a prism.
10. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 9,
wherein the surfaces of the prism are at least partially
curved.
11. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said optical deflecting device includes an optical lens
system which is adjustable for changing the virtual viewing depth
in which said user recognizes a virtual object shown by the virtual
image.
12. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 11,
further comprising a tracking system for controlling the adjustment
of said optical lens system in response to the virtual viewing
direction and the real viewing depth of said user.
13. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said optical deflecting device is built into a closed
housing at least outside of the viewing field of said user.
14. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said optical deflecting device is releasably attached to
the frame.
15. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said image source is a first image source for generating a
first virtual image; said optical deflecting device is a first
optical deflecting device and said optical end element is a first
optical end element; said system further comprising a second image
source for generating a second virtual image; a second optical
deflecting device having a second optical end element for
deflecting said second virtual image to said second optical end
element; and, said first and second optical end elements being
mounted ahead of corresponding ones of the eyes of said user.
16. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 15,
wherein said first image source is identical to said second image
source.
17. A head-mounted optical visualization system for a user, the
system comprising: an image source for generating a virtual image;
an optical deflecting device including an optical end element; said
optical deflecting device being optically connected to said image
source for receiving said virtual image and for deflecting said
virtual image to said optical end element whereby said virtual
image is provided in the viewing field of said user in front of the
eyes of said user; a frame mountable on the head of said user for
carrying said optical deflecting system; an adjusting device
attached to said frame for variably changing the position of said
optical end element substantially in a plane parallel to said
viewing field of said user; wherein said image source is a first
image source for generating a first virtual image; said optical
deflecting device is a first optical deflecting device and said
optical end element is a first optical end element; said system
further comprising a second image source for generating a second
virtual image; a second optical deflecting device having a second
optical end element for deflecting said second virtual image to
said second optical end element; and, said first and second optical
end elements being mounted ahead of corresponding ones of the eyes
of said user; and, said frame being configured as a spectacles
frame having spectacle lenses suitable for the user.
18. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 17,
wherein said first and second optical end elements are mounted
ahead of corresponding ones of said spectacle lenses as seen from
said user.
19. A head-mounted optical visualization system for a user, the
system comprising: an image source for generating a virtual image;
an optical deflecting device including an optical end element; said
optical deflecting device being optically connected to said image
source for receiving said virtual image and for deflecting said
virtual image to said optical end element whereby said virtual
image is provided in the viewing field of said user in front of the
eyes of said user; a frame mountable on the head of said user for
carrying said optical deflecting system; an adjusting device
attached to said frame for variably changing the position of said
optical end element substantially in a plane parallel to said
viewing field of said user; and, said optical end element being
attachable to a spectacle lens.
20. A head-mounted optical visualization system for a user, the
system comprising: an image source for generating a virtual image;
an optical deflecting device including an optical end element; said
optical deflecting device being optically connected to said image
source for receiving said virtual image and for deflecting said
virtual image to said optical end element whereby said virtual
image is provided in the viewing field of said user in front of the
eyes of said user; a frame mountable on the head of said user for
carrying said optical deflecting system; an adjusting device
attached to said frame for variably changing the two-dimensional
position of said optical end element substantially in a plane
parallel to said viewing field of said user; a vertical guide rail
mounted on said frame; a slide supported on said guide rail so as
to be movable therealong; and, said optical end element being
movably mounted on said slide.
21. A head-mounted optical visualization system for a user, the
system comprising: an image source for generating a virtual image;
an optical deflecting device including an optical end element; said
optical deflecting device being optically connected to said image
source for receiving said virtual image and for deflecting said
virtual image to said optical end element whereby said virtual
image is provided in the viewing field of said user in front of the
eyes of said user; a frame mountable on the head of said user for
carrying said optical deflecting system; an adjusting device
attached to said frame for variably changing the two-dimensional
position of said optical end element substantially in a plane
parallel to said viewing field of said user; a horizontal and a
vertical guide rail mounted on said frame; a slide supported on
said guide rail so as to be movable therealong; and, said optical
end element being movably mounted on said slide.
22. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 11,
wherein said optical lens system lies outside of said viewing field
of said user.
23. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 13,
wherein said optical deflecting device includes an optical lens
system which is adjustable for changing the virtual viewing depth
in which said user recognizes a virtual object shown by the virtual
image; and, said optical lens system is also built into said closed
housing.
24. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said optical deflecting device is tiltably attached to said
frame.
25. The head-mounted optical visualization system of claim 1,
wherein said optical deflecting device is tiltably attached to said
frame so as to be easily displaceable out of said viewing field of
said user.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a head-mounted optical direct
visualization system (head-mounted display (HMD)).
Accordingly, a head-mounted direct visualization system includes at
least one optical deflecting device 210 which, with the aid of a
frame 220, is mounted on the head of a user (see FIG. 2). A
head-mounted direct visualization system is known from the state of
the art, especially from U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,822. The optical
deflecting device 210 includes an optical end element 215 and
functions to deflect a virtual image, which is generated by an
image source 230, to the optical end element 215. The virtual image
is outputted via the optical end element in the viewing field of
the user forward of the user's eyes.
A known head-mounted direct visualization system of this kind has,
however, the disadvantage that it is not very user friendly or
application friendly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Starting from this state of the art, it is therefore an object of
the invention to improve a known head-mounted optical direct
visualization system in such a manner that it is adaptable with
respect to the anatomical and optical characteristics of the user
as well as adaptable with respect to an instantaneous task-required
primary viewing direction of the user.
The head-mounted optical visualization system of the invention is
for a user and includes: an image source for generating a virtual
image; an optical deflecting device including an optical end
element; the optical deflecting device being optically connected to
the image source for receiving the virtual image and for deflecting
the virtual image to the optical end element whereby the virtual
image is provided in the viewing field of the user in front of the
eyes of the user; a frame mountable on the head of the user for
carrying the optical deflecting system; and, an adjusting device
attached to the frame for variably changing the position of the
optical end element substantially in a plane parallel to the
viewing field of the user.
Therefore, a head-mounted optical direct visualization system
includes an adjusting system attached to the frame for variably
changing the position of at least the optical end element
essentially in a plane parallel to the viewing field of the
user.
This possibility according to the invention for changing the
position of the optical end element and therefore for changing the
position at which the user receives the reflected-in virtual image
within his viewing field offers the following advantages. On the
one hand, an adaptation of this position to the individual head
dimensions and to the individual eye position of the user is
possible. On the other hand, the position of the virtual image can
be adapted to the individual eye behavior of the user as well as to
the instantaneous task-specific primary direction. The latter takes
place preferably with the aid of a tracking system.
Advantageously, the optical end element is configured as a prism.
This affords the advantage that the prism is half light permeable
so that, on the one hand, it makes possible making the virtual
image available forward of the eye of the user but, on the other
hand, also does not entirely block the view of the user to the real
world.
Advantageously, the deflection device (especially, a lens system
contained therein) and/or the size of the prism as end element can
be variably selected for the purpose of optimizing the quality and
size of the virtual image.
Likewise for optimizing the quality and the size of the virtual
image, it is further advantageous when the surfaces of the optical
end element and/or of an optical deflecting element in the
deflecting device are each configured as a prism, at least
partially convex or concave curved.
The head-mounted direct visualization system according to the
invention can include, in addition to a first deflecting device,
also a second deflecting device having a second optical end element
for deflecting a second virtual image, which is generated by a
second image source, to the second optical end element. In this
way, the possibility is provided for fading in a second virtual
image in front of the eyes of the user. Advantageously, but not
absolutely necessary, the first and second optical end elements are
mounted in front of different eyes of the user. In this way, a
binocular is realized which makes possible either a single view or
a stereo view for the user.
When the frame for carrying the optical deflecting device is
configured as a spectacles frame with spectacle lenses, which are
suitable for the user, this affords the advantage that, in a simple
manner, the defective vision of the user is corrected by the
spectacle lenses not only when viewing the real world but also when
viewing the virtual image.
An especially advantageous solution provides that the optical end
element is attached to the spectacle lens, for example, with
adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings
wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a head-mounted optical direct visualization system in
accordance with the invention; and,
FIG. 2 shows a head-mounted direct visualization system according
to the state of the art.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a head-mounted optical visualization system 100 in
accordance with the invention. The system includes an optical
deflecting device 120 for deflecting a virtual image, which is
generated by an image source 230, into the viewing field of a user.
For this purpose, the deflecting device 120 preferably includes
optical deflecting elements (122, 124) for deflecting the virtual
image to an optical end element 128 which is likewise a component
of the optical deflecting system 120. The optical deflecting
elements (122, 124) are configured as prisms and the virtual image
is generated by the image source 230. The virtual image exits
through the optical end element 128 into the viewing field of the
user ahead of the eyes of the user. The deflecting device is
usually mounted on the head of the user with the aid of a frame
130. The deflecting device 120 further includes a lens or a lens
system 126 for realizing an optimal image sharpness.
According to the invention, an adjusting device 140 is attached to
the frame 130 for variably changing the position of at least the
optical end element 128. The adjusting device 140 makes possible a
change of the position of the optical end element essentially in a
plane parallel to the viewing field of the user. In this way, the
position of the virtual image in the viewing field of the user is,
via the position of the optical end element 128, optimally
adaptable to individual characteristics of the user or to
task-specific viewing requirements. The position of the eyes of the
user in the head is especially one of the anatomic characteristics
of the user. With the task-specific viewing requirements,
especially a task-specific primary viewing direction is meant. An
adaptation of the position of the optical end element 128 in
response to an instantaneous viewing situation of the user is, if
required, made possible with the aid of a tracking system.
For adjusting the position of the optical end element 128, the
adjusting device 140 includes, for example, a horizontal guide rail
144 which is attached to the frame 130. A slide 148 is movably
supported in the X-direction on this guide rail 144. A guide
element 149 is attached to the slide 148 on which, in turn, the
optical end element 128 is supported for movement in the
Y-direction. The guide element 149 can, for example, be configured
as a threaded spindle. With a matched movement of slide 148 with a
simultaneous suitable drive of the threaded spindle 149, the
optical end element 128 can be positioned virtually as desired in a
plane parallel to the viewing field of the user. It is understood
that the guide rail 144 can be attached also vertically or at any
desired other angle on the frame 130. The position possibilities
are limited only by the length of the guide rail 144 as well as by
the length of the guide element 149.
Preferably, the optical deflecting element 124 is connected fixedly
to the slide 148. In this way, it is ensured that the virtual image
is reflected into the optical end element 128 in every position
thereof.
The described deflecting system can, together with the described
adjusting device, be provided for only one eye of the viewer, that
is, for monoscopic viewing. Alternatively thereto, there is,
however, the possibility to make it available for both eyes of the
viewer, that is, bi-ocular for simple viewing or stereo viewing.
For a bi-ocular image feed, it is advantageous when the virtual
image or the virtual images are fed in centrally from the image
source 230 above the center bridge of the frame 130, especially
above the spectacles frame. The optical lens system 126 is
preferably adjustable for changing the virtual viewing depth in
which the user recognizes a virtual object shown via the virtual
image. Furthermore, the optical lens system 126 can also be
configured to be adjustable for adjusting the size and the quality
of the virtual image.
Advantageously, the optical deflecting system 120 is at least built
into a closed housing outside of the viewing field of the user,
that is, with respect to the optical deflecting elements (122, 124)
and the lens system 126. In this way, the surfaces of the
above-mentioned components are protected against contamination and
the quality of the virtual image is not reduced by the incidence of
external light.
Also, one or several image sources 230 can be utilized whose
virtual images are distributed via two deflecting devices 120 via
polarization, grating mirror or liquid crystal display (LCD shutter
displays) onto the two eyes of the user.
The deflecting device 120 or at least only the optical end element
128 as well as the adjusting device 140 or at least only the guide
element 149 are preferably configured releasably or tiltably on the
frame 130, especially when the frame 130 is a spectacles frame.
This affords the advantage that the user, when he does not need
these devices any more, can easily remove these from his viewing
field.
It is understood that the foregoing description is that of the
preferred embodiments of the invention and that various changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *